Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Begin by rinsing your chicken wings under cold water and patting them thoroughly dry with paper towels. This is a crucial step for achieving crispy skin on the grill. If your wings are whole, take a moment to separate them into drumettes and flats, discarding the wingtips or saving them for another use like making chicken stock.2 pounds chicken wings
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the bourbon, honey, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. If you enjoy a little heat, this is also the time to add a pinch of red pepper flakes. Ensure all the ingredients are well combined to create a smooth, emulsified sauce.1/4 cup bourbon, 1/4 cup honey, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, Optional Red pepper flakes
- For an even deeper flavor infusion, place the dried chicken wings in a large zip-top bag or a shallow dish. Pour about two-thirds of the prepared honey bourbon sauce over the wings, ensuring each piece is coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish, and let the wings marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or for up to 4 hours. If you're short on time, you can skip this marinating step and proceed directly to grilling, basting generously with the glaze during the grilling process.2 pounds chicken wings
- Prepare your grill for medium-high heat. This means preheating it for about 10-15 minutes. If you're using a charcoal grill, aim for a bed of hot coals. If you're using a gas grill, set your burners to medium-high. It's also a good idea to clean your grill grates to prevent sticking. For optimal results with grilled wings, consider creating two heat zones on your grill: a hotter zone for searing and a cooler zone for finishing. This helps prevent burning while ensuring the wings cook through.
- If you marinated the wings, discard the marinade from the bag or dish. Place the marinated chicken wings directly onto the preheated grill grates over the hotter zone. Grill for about 5-7 minutes per side, turning them to get a good char. The goal here is to start cooking the wings and develop some initial color.2 pounds chicken wings
- Now, it's time to apply the delicious glaze. Using a pastry brush, liberally coat the wings with the reserved honey bourbon sauce. Move the wings to the cooler side of the grill if you created two heat zones, or adjust your grill temperature to medium. Continue grilling for another 10-15 minutes, turning the wings every few minutes and basting with more glaze as needed. This slow and steady cooking allows the glaze to caramelize and become wonderfully sticky without burning. Watch closely to prevent the sugary glaze from burning. The wings should be cooked through, with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Once the wings are cooked through and coated in a beautiful, glistening glaze, you can move them back over the hotter zone for a final minute or two per side. This will give them an extra touch of char and crispiness, truly elevating them to restaurant quality. Once they've reached your desired level of char, remove the wings from the grill.
- Allow the Honey Bourbon Grilled Chicken Wings to rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring tender and moist wings. If desired, garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness, or sprinkle with sesame seeds for added texture and visual appeal. Serve immediately and enjoy the incredible flavor!Optional Fresh parsley, Optional sesame seeds
Notes
If reheating, the oven method is recommended for crispy texture. Oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C), bake for 10-12 minutes. Broil for 1-2 minutes at the end for extra crispiness, watching carefully.
